Chapter 98

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A few days after receiving the news of the complete annihilation of the vanguard, they were sent into the dungeon as the second wave. They cautiously advanced deep into the dungeon, on high alert for monsters.

"Captain—"

"…I know. Everyone, prepare for engagement. Squad 1, get ready to shoot. Squad 2, prepare for close combat. Squad 3, secure the rear. Squad 4, be ready to support the other squads as needed."

"Understood!"

Following the captain's orders, the subordinates moved briskly to prepare for the engagement. Some aimed their guns forward, others readied machetes and knives, and still others illuminated the corridor with their flashlights.

Once preparations were complete, the team slowly advanced down the corridor at the captain's command. Then...

"Three dogs at 50 meters ahead! They've already spotted us!"

"Ready to shoot, whenever you say!"

"Fire when we're within 30 meters! Squad 2, if the gunfire doesn't work, wait for my signal to engage in close combat!"

"Understood!"

"Squad 3, how's the rear?"

"No issues!"

"Squad 4, don't shake the flashlights! Secure them firmly!"

"Understood!"

The captain deliberately gave loud orders to provoke the monsters, the hound dogs, which immediately charged at them.

"Prepare to shoot... Fire!"

Following the captain's orders, the team members, who had their guns equipped with laser sights to prevent misfires, fired their bullets. The three shots, aimed precisely, hit the hound dogs' bodies and legs but did not cause fatal injuries. The hound dogs, bleeding from their wounds, zigzagged and increased their speed, approaching the team members.

"Damn. Squad 1, suppressive fire! Squad 2, prepare for close combat!"

Following the captain's orders, Squad 1 fired continuously to hinder the hound dogs' movements. Squad 2, taking care not to block the laser sights, approached the hound dogs and swung their machetes at the necks of the hound dogs, who had stopped in their tracks due to the rain of bullets at their feet.

"...The situation is under control. Everyone, report any damage."

The captain declared the end of the engagement after confirming the hound dogs' bodies, which had been decapitated.

"Squad 1, no damage."

"Squad 2, one member's equipment is damaged, but it doesn't affect combat."

"Squad 3, no damage."

"Squad 4, no damage."

The squad leaders reported. Although they didn't emerge unscathed, they managed to repel the monster attack without any injuries.

However...

"Squad 2, what kind of damage?"

"During close combat, a monster's claw caught and tore the combat suit."

The captain asked, and the squad leader of Squad 2 showed the damaged area on his right leg.

"Can a combat suit made of cut-resistant fibers be torn?"

"Yes. Fortunately, only the suit was torn, and there are no injuries."

"...We need to propose the creation of combat suits designed for close combat."

"Yes. At the very least, we should add shin guards and gauntlets to protect the limbs."

The body armor they typically wore was designed for gun battles, prioritizing vital areas like the torso for protection and leaving the limbs unarmored to reduce weight. This time, they were lucky to avoid injuries.

"...Captain"

"Yes, that's enough for this exploration. Everyone, prepare to withdraw."

"Understood!"

While remaining vigilant, they collected the items dropped by the hound dogs and began their withdrawal. They encountered more monsters on their way back but managed to exit the dungeon safely without any injuries.

The president received a report from his aide about the results of the second exploration team.

"Any casualties from the exploration team?"

"Thanks to the lessons learned from the previous mission, the damage to the second exploration team was minimal. There were several seriously injured members, but fortunately, no one's life was in danger."

"I see."

The president sighed with relief upon hearing the report.

However, the aide's face twisted slightly with guilt. He hadn't detailed the report, but among the seriously injured were those who, though not dead, had lost limbs or were partially paralyzed.

The aide placed new documents on the desk to change the subject.

"...From the second exploration team's report, there are many requests for improvements to the equipment used for dungeon exploration."

"Improvements?"

"Yes. Most of the requests are for improvements to close combat weapons and armor."

The president took the documents handed by the aide and read through the list of dozens of improvement points.

"The deeper you go in the dungeon, the less effective firearms become against the monsters. The team members had to engage in close combat with the monsters."

"Firearms are ineffective?"

"Yes. The cause is under investigation, but it seems that after the third floor, it's extremely difficult to defeat monsters with firearms alone. Using larger-caliber weapons like assault rifles might work, but..."

"Eventually, they won't be effective either?"

"Yes."

"I see..."

The president frowned as he read the documents.

"As a response, the exploration team has proposed enhancing close combat weapons."

"...In this modern age, where rockets can reach the moon, are we going to revert to using knives and blunt objects for hunting? It's absurd."

"But if firearms are ineffective, close combat weapons can be effective."

"I understand. It's just a complaint."

The president smiled wryly.

The aide, almost about to smile wryly in response, held back and presented the benefits of dungeon exploration.

"But there are valuable achievements."

"The dropped items, right?"

"Yes. So far, we've confirmed numerous valuable gems and precious metals. We're currently analyzing the items, but we've also obtained various potions, scrolls, and items with mysterious effects."

The aide handed the president a list of items obtained by the second exploration team.

"Selling the gems and precious metals can help compensate for the damage caused by the appearance of the dungeon."

"Yes. Other items might also have high added value depending on the results of the analysis."

"Speed up the investigation."

"Understood."

After a moment, the president gave further instructions to the aide.

"Regarding the budget and improvement proposals, we'll discuss and decide with the cabinet. There's no need to overburden the current situation, but have the military form a third exploration team to investigate the third floor of the dungeon. Prioritize collecting items dropped by monsters, and have scientists analyze the collected samples in detail."

"Understood."

The aide left the room after receiving the president's instructions.

As the proposals for enhancing close combat weapons and armor progressed, dungeon exploration by the exploration team became safer. The dungeon that appeared within the country was sealed off by the military and police, preventing civilians from entering and getting injured.

Today, a new military unit was born within the federal army.

Before thousands of soldiers, a general, adorned with numerous medals, delivered a speech on the podium.

"Comrades! The Russian Dungeon Exploration Army is officially established today as a new branch of the federal army!"

The Dungeon Exploration Army, inspired by Japan's core crystal power generation, was created to reassess the value of dungeons. Their primary mission is to guard and monitor the dungeons within the country and collect items dropped by defeated monsters.

"Our success can save our struggling homeland and the federal army from dire straits! Keep this in mind and I expect each of you to fight valiantly!"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

The general saluted on the podium, and the thousands of soldiers saluted in unison.

As the general's speech made clear, the existence of the Dungeon Exploration Army was primarily for profit. Knowing that dungeon items could be sold for high prices, Russia nationalized all dungeons and decided to explore them using the military, not civilians. This allowed for stable item collection, and the surplus could be exported to earn foreign currency and revitalize the economy. Even as a single independent branch, the military, a massive consumer organization, began productive activities to earn foreign currency.

The military and government agreed to allocate a larger share of the profits from item sales to the military, which improved the budget and, in turn, the soldiers' salaries. This reduced crimes like embezzlement and corruption, leading to a more disciplined military.

As a result, despite being a new independent branch, the Dungeon Exploration Army was respected by all other branches of the military, as everyone knew that their improved treatment was due to the Dungeon Exploration Army.

The president frowned upon hearing the aide's report.

"The conflict in the Middle East has reignited?"

"Yes. We just received a report from our ambassador in the region. They resumed attacks without prior notice, violating the ceasefire treaty."

"...A year after signing the ceasefire treaty, they're back at war... Typical."

"Yes. ...How should we respond?"

The aide asked the president, who seemed to have a headache, how the country should respond to this situation.

"...Do we have any other information?"

"Yes. The invading forces included a unit that appears to be composed of explorers."

"What? Is that true?"

"Yes. They were seen running through the city streets at a speed that could keep up with armored vehicles, carrying heavy weapons."

The aide read from the report and answered the president's questions.

"Such a feat is impossible for regular soldiers."

"Yes. The Dungeon Exploration Army conducted similar drills before, so I'm confident it's accurate."

The aide recalled the drills conducted by the Dungeon Exploration Army.

Soldiers carrying heavy machine guns and large amounts of ammunition ran through the training ground at the speed of armored vehicles. The abandoned vehicles used as targets were riddled with bullets from synchronized fire. Dozens of anti-aircraft shots were fired from the ground at drones simulating combat helicopters. Witnessing the drills of explorers, the aide realized that the concept of infantry was changing.

Currently, the development of portable large-caliber weapons for explorers is being led by the Dungeon Exploration Army.

"However, if explorer units are leading urban warfare... What about the evacuation of civilians?"

"Due to the sudden invasion, no evacuation has taken place. There are reports of numerous casualties."

"In that case, the refugee crisis that had calmed down due to the ceasefire will resume."

"Yes. Europe is in a state of chaos."

"Indeed."

The president closed his eyes in sympathy, imagining the chaos in Europe due to the influx of refugees.

However, this was not just someone else's problem. After all, one of the conflicting parties was being supported by their own country.

"First, gather information from the region as quickly as possible. Without accurate information, we can't decide on our response."

"Understood. I'll have a report ready as soon as possible."

"Also, gather the relevant cabinet members for a meeting to discuss our response."

"Understood."

The secretary left the room after receiving the president's instructions.

The president muttered to himself as he watched the door close.

"The conflict reigniting... Sooner than I thought. Well, the ceasefire treaty was hastily signed due to the appearance of the dungeon. Without resolving any underlying issues, a resurgence was inevitable..."

The president sighed, recalling the content of the ceasefire treaty.

This resurgence would trigger the resumption of conflicts and civil wars around the world that had been on hold. In many battlefields, soldiers with explorer-like abilities would wreak havoc, making the battlefields even more hellish than before. Indirect casualties would increase, and civilians would be affected without mercy.

This would lead to a large number of refugees seeking safety, causing a more severe refugee crisis than before the appearance of the dungeon.

This is the Russian chapter.

Russia, struggling with financial difficulties, has started on the path to national economic recovery through the profits from dungeons.

Given its past experience as a socialist state, domestic control is easier for Russia compared to democratic countries like the United States.